Kolkata: Sourav Ganguly and wife receive death threats, police launch probe

By Sanjay Menon — 10 August 2026 — 3 min read

Threat Letters Prompt Police Investigation

Sourav Ganguly, former captain of the Indian cricket team and current president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), along with his wife Dona Ganguly, have reportedly received multiple death threats. These threats have led to the initiation of a police investigation in Kolkata.

According to police officials, Ganguly lodged a formal complaint at the Thakurpukur Police Station in south Kolkata. This action followed the receipt of the most recent threatening letter at his office on Monday. The letters, which have allegedly been arriving for several months, explicitly warned of harm to Ganguly and his wife.

The Kolkata Police STF and the directorate of security have commenced a probe into the matter. Investigators are currently examining the contents of these communications to ascertain the identity and motives of the sender. The police are also working to ensure the safety of Ganguly and his family.

Details of the Threats and Police Response

The threatening communications have been a recurring issue for the Ganguly family. While earlier letters were reportedly not taken seriously, the nature of the recent threats prompted immediate police intervention. The latest letters, received on Monday, contained explicit threats to eliminate Ganguly and his wife and to harm individuals close to him.

The FIR, filed by Sourav Ganguly’s personal secretary, Taniya Bhattacharya, at Thakurpukur Police Station, indicates that regular letters containing serious threats to Sourav, his family, and staff have been received over the past four months. The final two letters escalated the severity of the threats, with the sender stating an intention to “eliminate” Ganguly and asserting that nothing could prevent it.

Family sources have indicated that such letters have been arriving for approximately six months. Initially, these were dismissed as communications from overzealous fans. However, the consistent nature of the threats and the increasingly aggressive language in the most recent correspondence led the family to contact law enforcement. The state government’s security department has also been notified and requested to take prompt action.

Ongoing Investigation and Security Review

The police investigation is actively underway. Reports suggest that the STF has identified a location approximately 32 kilometers from the Gangulys’ Behala residence, believed to be the origin point of some of the threat letters. Raids were reportedly being conducted at this site as of the latest updates.

The complaint filed by Ganguly’s personal assistant detailed the progression of the threats. It stated that for several months, letters containing objectionable remarks against Mr. Ganguly were received. These were initially disregarded as expressions of personal resentment. However, the two letters received on Monday contained not only hate remarks but also serious threats to the lives and safety of Mr. Ganguly, Mrs. Dona Ganguly, and their staff. The complaint emphasized that the escalation from derogatory communication to explicit threats necessitated immediate police intervention.

Preliminary investigations suggest that some letters were sent via courier to the Ganguly residence. The sender’s name on the packet was listed as Arun Kumar, identified as a resident of Belgharia. Investigators have traced a phone number mentioned in one of the letters, which a ‘Truecaller’ search also linked to the name Arun Kumar. Police are currently investigating whether the actual Arun Kumar is responsible for sending the letters or if his identity is being used by someone else to target the former India skipper. Given Ganguly’s public profile, the security department is reviewing the threat assessment and considering the need for additional security measures.

Police officials have assured Ganguly’s personal assistant that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety of Mr. Ganguly and his family.

Source: m.rediff.com